The Year in Review 1997: DECEMBER

A four-member University committee is investigating whether Athletic Department officials improperly tried to arrange a last-minute independent study course to cover up a star football player's ineligibility. Fifth-year College senior Mitch Marrow, an All-Ivy defensive tackle and pro prospect, dropped two of his four classes early in the fall semester, making him a part-time student. The NCAA allows only full-time students to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Also, with Provost Stanley Chodorow's resignation taking effect at the end of the month, the University appointed Deputy Provost Michael Wachter as interim provost effective January 1. Chodorow had resigned from Penn October 31 to pursue the presidency of the University of Texas at Austin, which is scheduled to name its new president next Tuesday. He is currently one of five finalists for the post. University officials also confirmed last week that two food-service companies -- Bon Appetit Management Co. and Aramark Corp. -- visited campus as officials consider outsourcing Dining Services and other campus food operations. An outside consulting firm is advising the University and is expected to deliver a final report next semester. Administrators have said that they expect to issue a final decision on outsourcing Dining by the end of next year. And last weekend, Trammell Crow Co. sent job offers to 122, or 80 percent, of the 152 University facilities employees who interviewed with the Dallas-based real estate services company. Trammell Crow will begin managing most on- and off-campus buildings beginning April 1. In early December, officials said the Community Service Living Learning Program -- currently housed in the Castle -- will relocate to High Rise North next fall as part of the University's residential overhaul. But many Castle residents are reluctant to move, and as a result, administrators are considering an off-campus location to supplement the program's High Rise home. -- Shirley Zilberstein